Written by

Molly Reed

Contributing Writer

Florida State students are reaching out through the Toys for Tots organization to give back to kids in need this holiday season.

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

By dropping off toys at Tallahassee’s on- and off-campus locations, students help give children the joy of Christmas morning.

Stefano Miranda and Kyle Griffiths of Florida State’s Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity have aspired to do just that for the children of Tallahassee. The fraternity is working with the Center for Veteran Outreach and College of Medicine to host a campus-wide toy drive, and is encouraging students and faculty to donate new toys to the Toys for Tots program.

In addition to toy donations, the fraternity will also be providing a unique opportunity for students to give back. This Friday, Dec. 7, they will be hosting a Build-a-Bear party on Union Green from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone can come build a bear with all of the Build a Bear decorations and materials provided.

“We are encouraging everyone on campus to be involved,” said Vice President of Alpha Tau Omega Kyle Griffiths. “We want people to come out with their fraternities, sororities, RSO’s, other student groups, or just their friends and help build a better holiday with their very own Build a Bear.”

The fraternity has set up drop boxes around campus, located in Strozier Library, the William Johnston Building, and in front of the Alpha Tau Omega house located on Pensacola Street.

Another fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, will be collecting toys as an entrance fee to their annual holiday performance event Kappa Christmas on Friday, Dec. 7 in Moore Auditorium at 6:30 p.m.

Nicole Greenstein, a marketing intern for South East Eye Specialists, has turned two of the stores into drop box locations. In addition, for every toy donated to their boxes, they will be giving a free pair of glasses to a child in need.

“Our goal is to collect as many new un-wrapped toys as possible between now and Dec. 10, which is when the Marines come to pick up the boxes,” said Greenstein. “It is a win-win situation; all members of the community need to do is donate a toy to Toys for Tots and we donate a pair of glasses to a child in the Tallahassee community.”

South East Eye Specialists has two drop-off locations at the Hour Glass located at 1480 Timberlane Road and South East Eye Specialists located at 1433 E. Lafayette Street. Both stores are open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. Once someone drops off a toy at either of these locations, they will receive a 25 percent-off coupon as well.